Cigarette medication



Jan. 25, 1938. G. P. SCHMITT CIGARETTE MEDICATION Filed Jan. 16, 1954 HIIII'IIIIIIA Patented Jan. 25, 193s CIGARETTE MnDIATIoN George Philip schmitt, New York, N. Y. Application January 16,1934, Serial No. 706,798

16 Claims.

'Ihis invention relates to the medication or fiavonng of cigarettes and the like and more particularly to a medicating means involving the useA of a cigarette lighter. Y

A general object of the invention is toprovide a method andA apparatus for medicating a cigarette during the operation of an igniting device used therewith. Another object of the invention is to provide an improved cigarette lighter having means for medicating a cigarette in conjunction with its normal igniting function. l

More specifically, the invention has for an object the provision of a glow type catalytic lighter having means for rendering its catalyst incandescent when a cigarette is placed thereagainst and drawn upon, wherein a suitable medicating agent is so carried by the lighter that medicated vapors may be drawn into the cigarette during the mentioned drawing action.

In one aspect of the invention, a further obyject is to provide a lighter having features such as those described above wherein the medicating means comprises a specifically prepared medicated fuel, and to this end an important feature of the invention resides in the provision of such l a lighter fuel.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the several steps and the relation of one or more of such steps with respect 'to each of the others, and the apparatus embodying features of construction, combinations of elements and arrangement of parts which are adapted to effect such steps, all as exemplied in the following detailed disclosure, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially medially through an illustrative form of lighter equipped in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; and

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view substantially corresponding to Fig. 1 but showing another embodiment of the present invention.

There is a marked demand for medicated cigarettes, and the practice of incorporating medicaments such as menthol in cigarette tobaccos during their manufacture has become rather widespread. In accordance with the present invention, a medicating agent is provided in a cigarette lighter, the arrangement of the parts being such that the advantages of medication will be automatically applied to any cigarette, while it is being ignited. 5

While in its broadest aspects the present invention is applicable to various forms of cigarette lighters, it is primarily useful in connection with glow type catalytic lighters of the kind exemplied in the U. S. Patent No. 1,899,008 to l R. E. Berthold or in U. S. Patent No. 1,937,097 to G. P. Schmitt. In such lighters a perforate or porous catalytic body formed of material such as platinum black is adapted to have a side presented toward the end of a cigarette and a fuel containing chamber isin communication with its other side. Suitable air passages are provided so that, when a cigarette is placed adjacent the catalyst and drawn upon, air is circulated past the fuel in the chamber where it picks'up fuel 20 vapors and continues on through or around the perforate catalyst, which latter is rendered incandescent in the presence of such fuel and air. In accordance with the present improvement, a suitable medicament is associated with sucha lighter in a position to have vapors or fumes thereof drawn or injected into the cigarette during the drawing action on the latter. Menthol is a. preferred substance for this purpose, since in addition to its medicating properties it imparts a pleasant odor, taste and cooling sensation to the cigarette. However, other substances having suitable medicating and/or avoring qualities are contemplated, such as camphor, peppermint and wintergreen or other similar curative or aromatic herbs. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the expression medicament as used in the present specification and claims is intended to refer broadly to all substances such as those mentioned, wherever the context permits. 4; It has been found .that the application of such substances to a cigarette, even though drawn therein only during the relatively short time required to effect ignition with a lighter of the type contemplated serves to impregnate the tobacco so as to produce an effect which lasts during the entire subsequent consumption of -the cigarette. This apparently is because there are special advantages in impregnating the cigarette while lighting it. The heating of the tobacco accentu-` ates its moistness, it being found by test that the tobacco is markedly damper after ignition than before. In this dampened condition its receptivity to the influence of the medicating vapors is enhanced to a pronounced extent. What-` l.

ever the explanation may be, tests show that medication of the cigarette while heating it produces remarkable satisfactory and lasting results. This effect is more or less noticeable in accordance with the degree of volatility and pungency of the particular medicament used, being quite pronounced, for example. in the case of menthol.

It is intended that such medicaments may be withdrawn or ejected from the lighter in any suitable fashion, the arrangments particularly described herein for obtaining this end being illustrative in their nature, since it will be apparent that any form of lighter wherein fumes are withdrawn or ejected may partake of the benefits of the present invention.

Referring more particularly to the drawing and rst to Fig. l, there is shown a form of lighter substantially possessing the features shown in above mentioned U. S. Patent No. 1,937,097. Here there is a casing I0 having a sleeve II slidably fitted within it. A suitable holder I2 is mounted on the upper end of this sleeve and carries a catalytic body I3 of platinum black or the like. 'I'his body may be perforate as shown in Fig. 1, or of porous granular structure comprising granules I3 as shown in Fig. 2, to permit the passage of vapors therethrough. An absorbent body I4 of cotton wool or the like is located within sleeve I I and below the catalyst,

and has a central passage I5 extending therethrough. The lower end of this absorbent body is supported above the bottom of casing I0 providing a space I6. The passage I5 aiords communication between this space and the under side of the catalyst. Air passages, such as that illustrated at I1, are provided between casing I0 and sleeve II, the upper ends of such passages being open to the atmosphere, as illustrated, and the lower ends thereof communicating with space I6. Any desired number of these passages may be provided, or, if desired, any suitable equivalent means may be provided for conducting air past or over the absorbent body I4 to the catalyst. It will be seen that the casing with its cooperating appurtenant parts provides a fuel chamber which is open to the atmosphere and is adapted to contain the fuel holding absorbent.

A medicament I8 is located at the bottom of casing I0 in space I6. As illustrated, this medicament may take the form of a small mass of menthol crystals, about one-half gram of these crystals being a satisfactory amount in the arrangement shown. If desired, the menthol may be in the form of a tablet suitably dimensioned for insertion in the lighter.

In the operation of the lighter the end of a cigarette is presented against or toward the upper face of catalyst I3 and is drawn upon. Air is thereupon drawn in through passages I'l into the fuel chamber where it picks up vapors from the medicament I8 and continues through passage I5, and also picks up additional fuel vapors, which mixed vapors are drawn against and through the catalyst. Here the fuel vapors, being inflammable, are largely consumed while all or the major part of the non-inflammable or less inflammable medicated vapors escape combustion and pass on into the cigarette, concurrent ignition and medication of the latter thus being effected. It will be apparent that any brand of cigarette thus may be mentholated or otherwise medicated without resorting to special medicating steps during its manufacture.

In Fig. 2 there is shown a form of lighter substantially corresponding to that shown in Fig. 1, and operating in substantially the same manner. Here, however,instead of placing a mass of medicament in the bottom of the casing, the absorbent body III is suitably impregnated with medicament prior to assembly with the rest of the lighter. This impregnation is effected by immersing such absorbent body in a saturated solution of menthol in alcohol. The alcohol used is preferably absolute ethyl, but other kinds, such as pure methyl alcohol, may be used with satisfactory results. Upon withdrawal of the absorbent body II4 from its bath in this saturated solution, the alcohol evaporates, leaving a crystalline deposit throughout the body. 'I'he body, thus impregnated, is assembled in the lighter and may be repeatedly replenished with fuel while retaining its medicating characteristics. Withthis form of the invention, as a cigarette is placed against the catalyst and drawn upon, the induced current of air picks up both menthol vapors and fuel vapors from the absorbent body, and these are transmitted to the cigarette. It is contemplated that other medicaments than menthol may beutilized to impregnate the absorbent body, and any other forms of lighters involving the use of absorbent fuel containing bodies may be utilized, for example those shown in my copending applications Serial No. 688,114, filed September 12, 1933, now Patent Number 2,005,476, dated June 18, 1935; and Serial No. 706,368, led January l2, 1934, now Patent Number 2,005,477, dated June 18, 1935.

'Ihe benefits of the presen't invention are also attained by providing a ysuitably medicated lighter fuel for .use in lighters of the kind herein contemplated. This improved lighter fuel may be obtained by incorporating any medicament of the kind herein described in a suitable hydrocarbon compound. One very satisfactory form of fuel comprises a solution of from 5 to 10 per cent by weight of menthol in pure methyl alcohol, although absolute ethyl alcohol may be employed if desired. Such a medicated fuel is adapted to be used in any of the herein described lighters, or in any other form of lighter wherein vapors are drawn or forced into the cigarette during the igniting operation.

It will be seen that a method has been provided for quickly and eiiciently medicating a cigarette at the time it is ignited, and that suitable equipment has been provided for fulfilling the intended objectsof the invention.

Since certain changes in carrying out the above process and in the constructions set forth, which embody the invention may be made Without departing from its scope, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a hunting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

Particularly, it is to be understood that in said claims, ingredients or compounds recited in the singular are intended to include compatible mixtures of such ingredients wherever the sense permits.-

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tc secure by Letters Patent. is:

1. -A cigarette lighter comprising, in combination, means for igniting a cigarette, a casing, a chamber in said casing communicating with said igniting means, and a medicament in said chamber to medicate such cigarette while it is being ignited.

2. A cigarette lighter comprising, in combination, an igniting device, a fuel chamber in communication with said device, a medicament in said chamber, and means for conveying such medicament to a cigarette cooperating with said device.

3. A cigarette lighter comprising, in combination, means for igniting a cigarette, a chamber, and a medicament in said chamber, said igniting means including means for conveying said medicament to the cigarette in conjunction with an igniting operation.

4. Acigarette lighter comprising an igniting element against which a cigarette may be placed, means for rendering said element incandescent upon drawing on such cigarette, and means associated with said lighter for medicating said cigarette during such drawing action.

5. A medicating cigarette lighter comprising, in combination, a catalyst having a side-presentable toward a cigarette, means for rendering said catalyst incandescent upon drawing on such ciga.

rette, and a medicament carried by said lighter in position to be drawn into said cigarette during said drawing action.

6. A medicating cigarette lighter comprising, in combination, a chamber adapted to contain a vaporizable fuel, a catalyst located in the path of fuel vapors coming from said chamber, a medicament in said chamber, and means for passing medicament from said chamber to a cigarette cooperating with said catalyst.

7. A medicating cigarette lighter comprising, in combination, a catalyst having a side presentable toward a cigarette, a chamber in communication with the other side of said catalyst and adapted to contain a vaporizable fuel, a vaporizable medicament in said chamber, and means for circulating vapors from said chamber to a cigarette cooperating with said catalyst.

8. A medicating cigarette lighter comprising an igniting device, a medicament impregnated fuel containing body in communication with said device, said lighter having means for passing fuel from said body to said device, and for passing medicament from said body to a cigarette cooperating with said device.

9. A medicating cigarette lighter comprising an igniting device, and an absorbent body carried by said lighter in communication with said device and adapted to contain a fuel, said body being impregnated with a medicament, and said lighter including means for circulating such medicament from said body to a cigarette cooperating with said device.

10. A medicating cigarette lighter comprising, in combination, an igniting device, means for rendering the same incandescent, and a medicament impregnated absorbent body carried by said lighter in communication with a cigarette cooperating with said device.

11. A medicating cigarette lighter-comprising a catalyst having a side presentable toward a cigarette, means for rendering said catalyst incandescent upon drawing on such cigarette, and a menthol impregnated absorbent body carried by said lighter in position to have fumes therefrom drawn into said cigarette during such drawing action.

12. A new article of manufacture comprising a fuel containing absorbent body insertable in a cigarette lighter and impregnated with a medicament.

13. A cigarette lighter comprising, in combination, a casing, means for igniting a cigarette communicating with the interior of said casing and a menthol impregnated absorbent body in said casing to medicate such cigarette while lt is being ignited. k

14. A method of medicating cigarettes which comprises providing a chamber. in a cigarette lighter with a supply .of medicament, and passing vapors of such medicament from said chamber into the cigarette while igniting and heating the same.

15. A method of medicating cigarettes which comprises providing a fuel chamber of a cigarette lighter with a supply of fuel containing a medicament, and injecting vapors or such medicament into the cigarette by means of the drawing action attendant upon ignition.

16. A method of medicating cigarettes which comprises providing a cigarette lighter with a vaporizable mixture of alcohol and menthol, and drawing vapors from this mixture into the cigarette while igniting the same.

GEORGE PHILIP SCHMI'I'I. 

